【Source】

“Xuan Ming Lun Fang”

 【Composition】

Dried Rehmannia (raw Rehmannia), Curculigo ornata, Cornus officinalis, Cistanche deserticola, (prepared) Aconite, Schisandra chinensis, Ophiopogon japonicus, Dendrobium candidum, Cinnamomum cassia, White Poria cocos, (stone) Acorus gramineus, Polygala tenuifolia
(12)

 【Category】

<Nourishing Yin>: Ophiopogon japonicus, Dendrobium candidum

<Tonifying Liver and Kidney>: Curculigo ornata

<Clearing Heat and Cooling Blood>: Dried Rehmannia

<Warming the Interior>: Aconite, Cinnamomum cassia

<Tonifying Spleen and Promoting Diuresis>: Poria cocos

<Tonifying and Assisting Yang>: Cistanche deserticola

<Astringent>: Schisandra chinensis, Cornus officinalis

<Calming the Spirit>: Polygala tenuifolia

<Opening the Orifices>: Stone Acorus gramineus

【Formula Rationale】

“Yi Fang”: A formula for the Hand Shaoyin, Taiyin, and Foot Jueyin meridians. (1) Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia): to nourish the root of Yin. (2) Ba Ji Tian, Rou Cong Rong, Guan Gui, Fu Zi (Aconite): to return the vital fire. (3) Shi Hu (Dendrobium): to calm the spleen and conserve Qi. (4) Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus officinalis): to warm the liver and secure essence. (5) Shi Chang Pu (Acorus gramineus), Yuan Zhi (Polygala tenuifolia), Fu Ling (Poria cocos): to tonify the heart and connect to the kidney. (6) Mai Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra chinensis): to protect the lungs and nourish the source of water. (7) This allows water and fire to interact, essence and Qi to gradually flourish, and wind and fire to naturally subside.

 【Functions】

Nourishes kidney Yin, tonifies kidney Yang, resolves phlegm, opens the orifices, and calms the spirit.

 【Indications】

Aphonia and paralysis of extremities, kidney deficiency with repletion and counterflow, characterized by symptoms of stroke with aphasia, stiff tongue making speech difficult, weakness and atrophy of the lower limbs, inability to use the feet, dry mouth with no desire to drink, yellow greasy tongue coating, and deep, fine, weak pulse. “Yi Fang” states: Treats stroke with aphasia and inability to speak, and paralyzed feet making walking impossible. This is due to the Shaoyin Qi counterflow not reaching, named “wind paralysis,” and requires warming urgently.

 【Clinical Applications】

Coronary heart disease, cerebral thrombosis, arteriosclerosis, cerebrovascular accident, stroke, generalized neurodermatitis, geriatric diseases, sequelae of stroke, and other conditions classified as both kidney Yin and Yang deficiency.

 【Contraindications】

(1) The stroke referred to in this formula is purely that of kidney Yin and Yang deficiency (with a predominance of deficiency), not the “pseudo-stroke” or cerebral hemorrhage caused by extreme liver Yang hyperactivity, nor true stroke with symptoms from the Six Meridians. (2) This formula is not suitable for sudden stiff tongue and paralyzed feet caused by rising Qi and fire, or Yin deficiency with liver Yang hyperactivity. (3) Use with caution in patients with cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, or hematological diseases.

 【Mnemonic】

The Emperor’s shadow (Dihuang Yinzi) — is extremely fond of noble ladies, preferring to sell two stones of five-flavor pork jerky (Ji, Cong, Gui, Fu, Ling, Yuan, Mai, two Shi Hu, Chang Pu, Wu Zhu, Gan Di).

 【Modifications】

(1) If the leg paralysis is accompanied by Qi deficiency, add Ginseng and Astragalus to benefit Qi. (2) If the leg paralysis is primarily due to kidney Yang deficiency, with symptoms of cold sensation in the waist and knees, add Epimedium and Curculigo capitata to strengthen kidney Yang. (3) If the leg paralysis is primarily due to kidney Yin deficiency, with symptoms of bone and joint heat, add Mulberry twigs, Root bark of common selfheal, and turtle shell to reduce deficient heat. (4) If the legs are paralyzed and unused, but there are no other symptoms, then remove herbs that open the orifices such as stone Acorus gramineus, Polygala tenuifolia, and Mentha canadensis. (5) If it is Yin deficiency with abundant phlegm-fire, then remove Aconite and Cinnamomum cassia, and add Fritillaria, Bay star, and Bezoar to clear and resolve hot phlegm.

 【Pharmacology】

Has antioxidant, nootropic, and lipid-lowering effects.